TWO controversial PAS lawmakers in the former Perikatan Nasional (PN) government were dropped from Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s cabinet, which the new prime minister announced today.

They are former plantation industries and commodities minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and former deputy minister of agriculture and food industries II Che Abdullah Mat Nawi, who each courted public criticism throughout their nearly 18-month tenures.

Khairuddin sparked controversy and accusations of double-standards when he bypassed mandatory Covid-19 quarantine upon his return from Turkey last year.

The incident brought backlash on the PN government’s image when the Kuala Nerus MP was only fined RM1,000 for the offence, while no explanation, even until today, has been given on how he managed to avoid quarantine.

Apart from violating the quarantine order, Khairuddin was also linked to the Malaysian Rubber Board land lease and sale scandal. He allegedly presided over these transactions, which were made at much lower prices than at the current market rate.

Khairuddin’s officers, at the time, lodged a report to urge the police to investigate the leak of secret letters regarding the transactions.

Meanwhile, Che Abdullah was criticised for his wedding during lockdown with the services of a Thai matchmaker.

The issue was brought to the attention of the Islamic religious authorities in Narathiwat who then acted to suspend the Imam.

The Kelantan PAS secretary later apologised for the incident and said the video of his wedding, conducted online, was shared widely to embarrass him and his family.

Che Abdullah’s position has now been replaced by Pasir Puteh MP, Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh, also from PAS.

Khairuddin’s post at the plantation industries and commodities ministry, now called the Industries, Plantations and Commodities Ministry, is now helmed by Bersatu’s Zuraida Kamaruddin.

The loss of Khairuddin, however, was replaced with PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad, who was given the post of religious affairs minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, replacing Senator Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

Idris will now have control of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

Two PAS ministers were also retained from the previous cabinet.

They are PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who keeps his job at the Environment and Water Ministry, and PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who was moved from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Laws) to Energy and Natural Resources. – August 27, 2021.